Cricket fans left fuming over 'distasteful' ad featuring Shane Warne

Sky Sports in the UK has been forced to pull an old TV ad featuring late Australian cricket legend Shane Warne after widespread backlash from fans.

Viewers of the third Test between England and New Zealand were left shocked over the weekend when Warne appeared on their screens in the ad for Advanced Hair Studio.

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The ad has been going to air for years, with Warne spruiking the hair regrowth technology.

However cricket fans were stunned to see the ad still playing after Warne's death.

Warne died in March at age 52 after suffering a suspected heart attack while holidaying on Koh Samui island in Thailand.

His death sparked an outpouring of grief around the world, including in the UK where he was widely adored despite tormenting the English cricket team for years.

So when TV viewers saw his face during the second day of play at Headingley, there was shock and anger.

"Do you really think it’s appropriate showing adverts during the Test match which feature the late Shane Warne? Bit distasteful in my eyes," one person tweeted.

Another wrote: "I don’t feel good about Shane Warne being used to promote products still. Hopefully his family are getting paid for it."

While a third commented: "Not content with using footage of Graham Gooch that must be 20 years old, they're still using the late great Shane Warne's endorsement. Feels a bit weird."

Others described the ad as 'disgusting' and 'quite shocking'.

Sky Media has since confirmed that the ed has been removed from its programming.

England close in on Test sweep of New Zealand

Meanwhile, England have moved closer to a series sweep of New Zealand after reaching 2-183 at stumps in their second innings, needing 113 more runs with one day left in the third and final Test.

Ollie Pope (81 not out) and Joe Root (55 not out) shared an unbeaten 132-run partnership for the third wicket on Sunday.

England are chasing a winning target of 296 after dismissing the world Test champions for 326, with spinner Jack Leach taking 10 wickets for the match at Headingley.

With the emphasis now on entertaining and aggressive cricket under new captain Ben Stokes, England successfully chased down 299 with some 22 overs to spare in the second Test, and they still have a full day to win the third.

"I want to be contributing to wins and I'm really enjoying working with Stokesy," Leach said.

"It's really attacking and I'm enjoying that, and kind of trying to bowl attacking as well.

"Obviously we have to come back tomorrow and do the good things again."

Earlier, Tom Blundell ran out of partners and was 88 not out at the end of New Zealand's second innings.

He shared another impressive partnership with Daryl Mitchell (56).

"It's obviously disappointing: as a group we probably haven't been quite there," Blundell said.

"On a personal note, it's been fantastic to bat with Daryl and have those partnerships, it's just unfortunate that a couple of results haven't really gone our way."

with AAP

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